Kinetic section for a skating device

ABSTRACT

A kinetic section for a skating device comprising at least one ball and at least one roller, wherein the ball is adapted to be in contact with the roller at least at one point or contacting surface; and the ball is adapted to transfer an angular momentum to the roller; and a minimum coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and a contacting surface of the roller is 0.16, preferably at least 0.20, more preferably at least 0.25, even more preferably at least 0.29 and/or the maximum coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and the contacting surface of the roller is 0.50, preferably at most 0.40, preferably at most 0.45, more preferably at most 0.35, and even more preferably at most 0.31.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT/EP2018/052976, filed Feb. 6, 2018, claiming priority to EP 17155057.7, filed Feb. 7, 2017, the entire contents of each which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

Ice skating has been known for centuries and known as a preferred leisure, sport, and fitness activity. Roller skating was created to simulate ice-skating on a solid ground. First models of rollers skates were so called quad skates. They had four wheels placed in two lines. Quad skates were not as fast and maneuverable as ice skates, but still became very popular among people in the 60s and 70s. The new age of skating began in the 90s when inline outdoor roller skates were introduced to the general public. The inline skates are faster and more maneuverable than the quad skates, but the experience is still not completely similar to ice skating. Inline skates have no opportunity to use the hockey stop and side slide breaking. Breaking has anyhow been a challenge for inline skate users.

Several attempts were made to further improve inline skates.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,335 (B2) features an omni-directional wheel which includes a frame having an upper portion for affixing the frame to an under-side of a weight bearing surface, at least two side walls, and a central cavity defined by the side walls for receiving at least one spherical wheel, at least two wheel bearings connected in axial alignment to the side walls for rotation of the wheel about a fixed axis, at least two wheel seats each having one side in axial connection to the wheel bearings and an opposite conical face wherein the conical faces are disposed in opposite axial alignment for mounting the wheel between the faces and a force of static friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about the fixed axis and a force of kinetic friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about an axis perpendicular to the fixed axis, and an upper load bearing connected to the frame which bias against an upper surface of the wheel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,138 (A) features an in-line roller skate including an elongate base plate having a top side to which a boot is secured, and an underside that mounts four wheel assemblies, the front wheel assembly having a fixed orientation and the remaining assemblies each having a caster-like construction. Springs bias each of the caster-like assemblies in a straight-ahead orientation, and first and second near-vertically extending fixed brake surfaces are spaced on opposite sides of the rearward most wheel such that the wheel frictionally engages a brake surface whenever the wheel is substantially turned to one direction or the opposite direction.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,550 (A) features a shaft extending in the skating directions supported by stanchions depending from a boot plate. Spherical wheels formed by hemispherical segments are rotatably secured to the shaft in fixed axial position by a ring member having wing axles extending transversely the shaft axis, the ring member being rotatable about bearing members secured to the shaft. One of the bearing members has a braking cam with a pair of oppositely positioned recesses which mate with a corresponding braking detent mechanism mounted in each wing axle. Each wheel segment is independently rotatably secured to a wing axle for rotation in the skating directions. The wing axles rotate with the wheels about the shaft in response to a stopping action transverse to the skating directions to provide a braking resistance in response to the detent mechanism riding against the cam surface. Different spring loads and springs are provided to allow for different skating stroke and stopping forces.

US application 2006/0214394 (A1) features the multi-directional skates with each skate being an assembly having a skate boot, at least four roller assemblies, and a skid plate. The skate boot is a traditional in-line/aggressive skate-type boot including an upper shoe portion and a sole portion. The roller assemblies each include a substantially spherical roller or ball that act as rolling surfaces for skate, allowing it to create movement in any direction, not just forward and backward, but also sideways and complete 360-degree movement. The number and alignment of the roller assemblies may be modified according to the desires of the individual skater, but they are intended to be aligned such that each skate is capable of balancing itself it an upright position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,308 (B1) features a roller skate which includes a frame, a structure for fixing the frame to a person's foot, and at least two balls, which are freely rotatably supported by concave rollers. Axes of rotation of the rollers extend in a horizontal direction, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the frame. A roller is located between the two balls which are arranged side by side. The roller bears against both balls during operation. This document is hereby incorporated by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,263 (A) features skates employing balls as the primary rolling elements which may be used in lieu of roller skates for street hockey or indoors on wood floors, concrete or other hard surfaces. In the preferred form the skate includes two balls, preferably of semi-hardened rubber, metal, wood, plastic or the like, one in the front and one at the rear of the skate. Each ball is supported by a set of rolling supports which allow the ball to rotate freely in a forward or backward direction but inhibits rotation of the ball in other directions. The supports include at least two transverse shafts on which are mounted spaced rollers or rings of different diameters and contoured to mate with the upper portion of the ball. The different size rollers are independently rotatable on the shaft to compensate for the different surface speeds of the ball as it rolls forwards or backwards. Since the rollers can rotate only about the transverse axis of the shaft, the friction produced between the ball and the supports in a direction other than forwards and backwards inhibits sidewise movement of the skate. A pusher block is provided at the forward end of the skate allowing the wearer to push himself forwardly either by tipping the block against the skating surface or by a sidewise pushing motion much like an ice skate.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,011 (A) features a braking device for in-line skates including a resiliently biased, pivotally mounted load bearing wheel. The resilient element prevents contact between the wheel and a skate mounted braking surface during normal skating movements. The braking device is activated by exerting sufficient downward force on the load bearing wheel to overcome the resilient bias and thereby making frictional contact between the load bearing wheel and the braking surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,344 (B1) features a multidirectional roller skate device and an associated method of using the device. The device includes a foot platform having a plurality of rolling units attached to the bottom of the foot platform. The foot platform may be either a boot for use as a roller skate or a board for use as a skate board. Each rolling unit includes a wheel, an axle, a fork, and a steering housing. The fork has a top ring; two opposing arms attached to the top ring of the fork; a first flange attached to the top ring of the fork; and a second flange attached to the top ring of the fork The steering housing has: a top plate attached to the foot platform and pivotally attached to the fork; an anchor shaft attached to the top plate; a first coil spring having a first and a second end, the first end of the first coil spring is attached to the first flange of the fork, the second end of the first coil is attached to the anchor shaft of the steering housing; a second coil spring having a first and second end, the first end of the second coil spring is attached to the second flange of the fork, the second end of the second coil is attached to the anchor shaft of the steering housing; and a rectangular bearing set attached to the steering housing and attached to the fork. The method of using the device includes the steps of balancing, bending, contacting, lifting, obtaining, placing, pushing, repeating, and standing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,762 (A) features a multidirectional in-line roller skate comprising a boot to receive a foot of a skater. The boot has a sole. A frame is provided. A facility is for securing the frame to a bottom surface of the sole of the boot. A plurality of spherical wheel assemblies is also provided. A subassembly is for mounting each spherical wheel assembly in a removable manner to a bottom surface of the frame centrally along a common place, so that each spherical wheel assembly can rotate horizontally along a riding surface. An assemblage is for revolving each spherical wheel assembly vertically three hundred and sixty degrees in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction upon the riding surface, to allow the skater to perform tight figure skating maneuvers on the riding surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,565 (B1) features a skate assembly that allows a skater forward/backward motion as well as side-to-side motion. Various aspects of the skate assembly can be adjusted to fit the size and weight of the skater, the skill level of the skater, the skating or playing style of the skater, and the various surfaces to which it might come into contact. In one configuration the skate assembly is comprised of a plurality of linearly aligned roller assemblies. The skate assembly includes at least one friction plate mounted on the inside edge of the skate frame that provides a push-off area used by the skater to initiate motion, accelerate, or stop. In another configuration the skate assembly is comprised of at least one roller assembly interposed between a pair of conventional wheels. The pair of conventional wheels provides stability when the skater is moving in either a forward or backward direction since these two wheels are confined to rotation in a single plane. When the skater wishes to move laterally he or she tilts the skates, for example by inwardly angling both knees, causing the conventional wheels to be raised from the rolling surface and placing all of the skater's weight on the omni-directional, i.e., substantially spherical, rollers. At this point lateral skate motion is as easy as linear skate motion. The roller within each of the roller assemblies can be mounted between two sets of bearings mounted on either side of the roller; between an upper bearing set and a set of bearings that surrounds the roller; or within a roller cavity that has been coated with a low friction coating.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a new and/or alternate device and/or method to allow a user rolling over a substantially even surface. The present invention particularly provides a ball with advantageous properties. The elasticity can provide a more comfortable travel for a user while at the same time limiting noise during use. At the same time a suitable hardness can limit abrasion and prolong lifetime.

The kinetic section according to the present invention is directed to find use in a skating device.

Disclosed is a kinetic section that can be provided to house at least one ball and/or at least one roller, wherein the ball is configured to be in contact with the roller at least at one point and/or contacting surface.

The ball can be adapted to transfer an angular momentum to the roller, the roller can at least in part support the ball. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and a contacting surface of the roller can be from 0.16 up 0.30 and/or go up to 0.50.

Two bearing can be integrated in the kinetic section to hold the ball in place. Each bearing can be of a wide variety of models, including, but not excluding other approaches, at least one of a sliding surface and/or a barrel-shaped roller, an hourglass shaped roller, a cylinder shaped roller and/or a bearing ball resting in a chassis.

At least two bearings may be provided by the kinetic section to support around more than half of the ball.

The bearing ball can be configured to rest in a recess integrated in the chassis correspondingly shaped to the ball.

In one embodiment the kinetic section can provide at least two rollers in substantially cylindrical, barrel shaped and/or hourglass shape being positioned substantially above the ball, their axles being arranged in an angle to each other of α≥10°, preferably α≥12°, more preferably α≥14° and/or α≤25°, preferably α≤20°, more preferably α≤17°.

In another embodiment the kinetic section can comprise at least two rollers in the shape of a truncated right circular cone that are positioned their smaller diameter faces oriented to each other substantially above the ball, their apex angle δ comprising δ≥10°, preferably δ≥12%, more preferably δ≥14° and/or δ≤25°, preferably δ≤20°, more preferably δ17°. The apex angle is meant to be the angle at the imaginary tip of the cone between the surface of the cone and the center of the vertical center of the circular area. A right circular cone is a cone, where the apex is exactly over (or under) the center if the circular area.

The minimum coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and the bearing can be at least 0.30 and can extend up to 0.80, whereas an average value can be around 0.60.

The kinetic friction between the ball and the ground can extend from 0.20 up to 0.90, whereas an average value can be assumed as 0.70.

The kinetic section can be configured the ball to be in contact with the at least one roller preferably at least at two points or contacting surfaces, and/or at least at one elliptical surface.

A skating device with the above and below disclosed kinetic section can also comprise a support for fixing a boot.

A method for manufacturing a kinetic section particularly to the above and below disclosures can comprise providing a kinetic section with at least one ball and at least one roller. Further the ball can be brought in a contact with the roller at least at one point or contacting surface. A ball can be provided to allow a ball to transfer an angular momentum to the roller. The minimum kinetic friction coefficient between the ball and a contacting surface of the roller can be from 0.16 up to 0.50, where a value of 0.30 can be assumed to be a good average.

The method to provide at least two bearings within a kinetic section in a wide variety of models is disclosed, including, but not excluding other approaches, at least one of a sliding surface, a barrel-shaped roller, an hourglass shaped roller, a cylinder shaped roller and/or a bearing ball resting in a chassis.

The method for manufacturing a kinetic section, wherein at least two bearings are supported by a chassis extending around more than half the ball is disclosed.

Where a ball is provided as a bearing means the method for manufacturing a kinetic section the ball can rest in a recess being correspondingly shaped to the ball.

The method for manufacturing a kinetic section with at least two rollers in substantially cylindrical, hourglass shape and/or barrel shape are positioned substantially above the ball, their axles being arranged in an angle to each other of α≥10°, preferably α≥12°, more preferably α≥14° and/or α25°, preferably α≤20°, more preferably α≤17°.

The method for manufacturing a kinetic section in another embodiment is disclosed, wherein at least two rollers in the shape of a truncated right circular cone are positioned their smaller diameter faces oriented to each other substantially above the ball, their apex angle δ having values of δ≥10° up to δ≤25°. The apex angle is meant to be the angle at the imaginary tip of the cone between the surface of the cone and the center of the vertical center of the circular area. A right circular cone is a cone, where the apex is exactly over (or under) the center of the circular area.

The method for manufacturing a kinetic section where the coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and a bearing can be from 0.30 up to 0.80, whereas a good average of 0.60 can be assumed.

The method for manufacturing a kinetic section the coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and ground can be from 0.20 up to 0.90, where 0.70 can be assumed a good value is disclosed.

A method for manufacturing a kinetic section can allow the ball to be adapted to be in contact with the roller preferably at least at two points or contacting surfaces, or at least at one elliptical surface.

A method for manufacturing a skating device comprising a kinetic section can allow the skating device to further comprise a support for fixing a boot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teaching in any way.

FIG. 1 depicts aspects of a kinetic section of a skating device according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a kinetic section with components of the skating device according to exemplary embodiments hereof.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described, referring to the figures. These examples are provided to give further understanding of the invention, without limiting the scope.

In the following description, a series of elements is described. The skilled person will appreciate that unless specified by the context, the number or the position of elements is not critical for the resulting configuration and its effect.

In FIG. 1 a kinetic section 8 of a skating device 1 is shown. At least one roller can be rotatably fixed to a chassis 5 with an axle 25. A ball 15 is held in a working position by the means of at least two rollers 20 and at least two bearings 35. Element 2 is a support to connect the kinetic section 8 with a boot (not shown).

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the kinetic section 8 with components of the skating device 1. To begin at the bottom part of the figure a chassis is shown to house the rotating and/or supporting parts. Bearing elements 35 are placed in the retention elements 10. In this embodiment ball 15 is then positioned to rest on four bearing elements 35. Then the rollers 20 are assembled by providing the axles 25 and securing them to the chassis 5. Additionally and/or alternatively, the bearing can be adapted to be a sliding bearing 35.

Embodiments

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; the disclosure is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to fulfill aspects of the present invention. The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here a relative term, such as “about”, “substantially”, “ca.”, “generally”, “at least”, “at the most” or “approximately” is used in this specification, such a term should also be construed to also include the exact term. That is, e.g., “substantially straight” should be construed to also include “(exactly) straight”. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or “substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

In the claims, the terms “comprises/comprising”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality.

Whenever steps were recited in the above or also in the appended claims, it should be noted that the order in which the steps are recited in this text may be the preferred order, but it may not be mandatory to carry out the steps in the recited order. That is, unless otherwise specified or unless clear to the skilled person, the order in which steps are recited may not be mandatory. That is, when the present document states, e.g., that a method comprises steps (A) and (B), this does not necessarily mean that step (A) precedes step (B), but it is also possible that step (A) is performed (at least partly) simultaneously with step (B) or that step (B) precedes step (A). Furthermore, when a step (X) is said to precede another step (Z), this does not imply that there is no step between steps (X) and (Z). That is, step (X) preceding step (Z) encompasses the situation that step (X) is performed directly before step (Z), but also the situation that (X) is performed before one or more steps (Y1), . . . , followed by step (Z). Corresponding considerations apply when terms like “after” or “before” are used.

It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention can be made while still falling within scope of the invention. Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless so claimed.

Any steps described in the specification may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

All of the features and/or steps disclosed in the specification can be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination.

The referenced apex angle is meant to be the angle at the imaginary tip of a cone between the surface of the cone and the center of the vertical center of the circular area. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A kinetic section for a skating device comprising a ball and a roller, wherein (a) the ball is configured to be in contact with the roller at one point or at a contacting surface; (b) the ball is adapted to transfer an angular momentum to the roller, further, the roller is configured to support the ball; and (c) a coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and a contacting surface of the roller is in a range of 0.20 to 0.45.
 22. The kinetic section for a skating device according to claim 21, further comprising two or more bearings which are configured to hold in place the ball, each bearing comprising one or a combination of: (a) a sliding surface; and/or (b) a roller shaped as a barrel; and/or (c) a roller shaped in an hourglass form; and/or (d) a roller cylindrically shaped; and/or (e) the ball supported by a chassis.
 23. The kinetic section for a skating device according to claim 22, wherein the two or more bearings are supported by the chassis extending more than half of the ball.
 24. The kinetic section for a skating device according to claim 22, wherein the ball rests in a recess being correspondingly shaped to the ball.
 25. The kinetic section for a skating device according to claim 22, wherein two or more rollers are positioned substantially above the ball, such that, their axles being arranged at an angle a, wherein a is in a range of α≥10° to α≤25°.
 26. The kinetic section for a skating device according to claim 22, wherein two or more rollers in the shape of a truncated right circular cone are positioned with their smaller diameter faces oriented to each other above the ball, and further, their apex angle (δ) comprising a range of δ≥10° to -δ≤25°.
 27. The kinetic section for a skating device according to claim 22, wherein a coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and the bearing is in a range of 0.40 to 0.75.
 28. The kinetic section for a skating device according to claim 22, wherein a coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and the ground is in a range of 0.40 to 0.80.
 29. The kinetic section for a skating device according to claim 22 wherein the ball is configured to be in contact with the roller at two or more points or at contacting surfaces or at an elliptical surface.
 30. A skating device comprising the kinetic section according to claim 22 and a support for fixing a boot.
 31. A method for manufacturing a kinetic section for a skating device particularly according to claim 21, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a kinetic section with a ball and a roller; (b) bringing the ball in contact with the roller at two or more points or a contacting surface or an elliptical surface; (c) facilitating the ball to transfer an angular momentum to the roller; and (d) configuring a coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and the contacting surface of the roller to be in a range of 0.20 to 0.40.
 32. The method of claim 31, further providing two or more bearings which are configured to hold in place the ball, each bearing providing one or a combination of: (a) a sliding surface; and/or (b) a barrel-shaped roller; and/or (c) an hourglass shaped roller; and/or (d) a cylinder-shaped roller; and/or (e) the ball supported by a chassis.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the bearings are supported by the chassis extending more than half the ball.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the ball rests in a recess being correspondingly shaped to the ball.
 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the rollers in substantially cylindrical or hourglass or barrel shape are positioned substantially above the ball, their axles being arranged at an angle of α, wherein α is in a range of ≥10° to 25°.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the rollers in the shape of a truncated right circular cone, are positioned with their smaller diameter faces oriented to each other, are substantially above the ball, with their apex angle (δ) comprising a range of 10° to 25°.
 37. The method of claim 32, wherein the method comprises the further step of allowing a coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and the bearing to be in a range of 0.40 to 0.75.
 38. The method of claim 32, wherein the method comprises the step of allowing a coefficient of kinetic friction between the ball and ground to be in a range of 0.40 to 0.80.
 39. A method of claim 32 comprising the step of allowing the ball to be adapted to be in contact with the roller at two points or contacting surfaces, or at one elliptical surface.
 40. A method of claim 32, allowing the skating device to further comprise a support for fixing a boot. 